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cobra1923 · 01-22-2008, 07:33 AM

If this is your only mode of transportation, I would look at a rebuilt motor first (with a good Head / Cam / Intake pairing included), maybe up the fun factor with a stroker or 351 swap.. then do the other things as money allows.... but

Here's what I would do if I were to do it all over again.... save all that money up and get a basic (but upgradeable) supercharger kit first.

Something that only requires a bigger fuel pump and FMU to run correctly (something entry level with a intercooler or heat exchanger). Run it conservatively 6-8 lbs of boost. You'll spend $2000-$3000 at the most and have a very fun / fast car..but based on mileage it will be toast in 10-20K miles.. the good news is, 302 rebuilds are easy and cheap... then start to add the other stuff as funds allow. The supercharger will magnify each item that you add (you would actually get the advertised claimed horsepower increases) and your butt dyno will actually notice the parts..instead of the nagging "I think it feels faster, I'll take it to the track only to find out it's slower"

The alternative is to spend $2000 on the items you listed (if you include the install cost of the gears) and have a car that is only slightly faster or even slower than most 86 or newer stangs.

I did the buy a part as I could afford it on my first mustang.. no plan, no goal, just spent money and ended up throwing half the stuff away or selling it for 1/2 of what I bought it for b/c it wouldn't work with the next part I wanted or was replaced with something stronger / bigger / etc..

01-22-2008, 07:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
cobra1923 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore Posts: 575	If this is your only mode of transportation, I would look at a rebuilt motor first (with a good Head / Cam / Intake pairing included), maybe up the fun factor with a stroker or 351 swap.. then do the other things as money allows.... but Here's what I would do if I were to do it all over again.... save all that money up and get a basic (but upgradeable) supercharger kit first. Something that only requires a bigger fuel pump and FMU to run correctly (something entry level with a intercooler or heat exchanger). Run it conservatively 6-8 lbs of boost. You'll spend $2000-$3000 at the most and have a very fun / fast car..but based on mileage it will be toast in 10-20K miles.. the good news is, 302 rebuilds are easy and cheap... then start to add the other stuff as funds allow. The supercharger will magnify each item that you add (you would actually get the advertised claimed horsepower increases) and your butt dyno will actually notice the parts..instead of the nagging "I think it feels faster, I'll take it to the track only to find out it's slower" The alternative is to spend $2000 on the items you listed (if you include the install cost of the gears) and have a car that is only slightly faster or even slower than most 86 or newer stangs. I did the buy a part as I could afford it on my first mustang.. no plan, no goal, just spent money and ended up throwing half the stuff away or selling it for 1/2 of what I bought it for b/c it wouldn't work with the next part I wanted or was replaced with something stronger / bigger / etc.. __________________ 2003 10th Anniversary Cobra Convertible All Stock and staying that way... well maybe some pipes since it's so quiet..ahhhh! it's a sickness 1995 mustang GT vert - all black (almost back together)